Lets take a trip down memory lane to the era of the boy bands: the '90s. Cue in screaming girls. The decade of frosted-tipped boys with voices who set pre-teens into a frenzy. Some lived short careers, others long, and some are even still together. Either way, each held a special place in our heart so it only seems fit to flashback to the glory days.
Backstreet Boys
This internationally loved boy band rose to fame in 1996 when their Backstreet Boy album debuted. Members Howie, A.J., and Nick started a trio in Orlando, Florida before they met the other two. In 1990, Kevin began working in Walt Disney World and joined the already formed trio to form a larger boy band. Brian, Kevin’s cousin, was the last to join. Luckily they all found each other eventually or we would never have been able to yell “Backstreet’s Back, Alright” at the top of our lungs. The five will continue to sing and tour and make our hearts melt until another day comes where they break up.
*NSYNC
Following a similar trend as Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC (my personal favorite) was also formed in Orlando and had five members Justin, JC, Chris, Joey, and Lance. Their debut album was minimally successful compared to their second album "No Strings Attached," which sold over 1 million copies in one day and 2.42 million in one week. They reached the title of eighth-best selling boy band in history after they sold 50 million albums. They also were nominated for multiple Grammy’s, performed at the Super Bowl, sang at World Series, and played at the Olympic Games.
98 Degrees
This four-member boy band started out as an independent group until a record label later picked them up. The group was discovered after sneaking backstage to a Boys II Men concert and singing a song live on a local radio station that happened to be covering the concert. Following this performance their debut album, 98 Degrees and Rising, went 4x platinum in 1998. Overall, they sold a total of 10 million records worldwide and had eight singles to make the Top 40 list.
New Kids on the Block
An R&B sextet started as Nynuk, until they later changed their name to New Kids on the Block, a name that would be known worldwide. In the late 1980s and early 1990s the group sold more than 80 million records world, making them one of the world’s best-selling groups in history. The band also won two American Music Awards in 1990, one for Favorite Pop/Rock Band, Duo, or Group and another for Favorite Pop/Rock Album. Although they broke up in 1994, the group did what the Backstreet Boys have and came back together years later in 2007 to record a new album. They are still together today.
